Switched from Cal Hypo to Bleach

[Jakebear]

We finally finished making the conversion to your BBB method and have now been using Clorox Ultra 6% for 2 weeks.

Today while swimming we noticed a yellow/brown stain from the water line down on the steps and the skimmer boxes, also the skimmer baskets are no longer white. This stain was not there before we changed to bleach!!

Before finding this forum, we have always used Cal Hypo and pucks. We have always used our well water to top off due to evaporation or replace splash-out. The CYA has been creeping up from the pucks (as expected) so we quit using those about two months ago, and have been draining and replacing 500 to 1000 gallons every day or two to try work the CYA level down. The only real change is the bleach.

Below is the latest results:

Water Temp 87
pH 7.4 by titration
FC 6.0 ppm (FAS-DPD)
TC 6.0 ppm (FAS-DPD)
CC 0 ppm (FAS-DPD)
TA 80 ppm (by titration)
CH 250 ppm (by titration)
Phosphates <100 ppm
CYA = 55
Water is crystal clear

Added 120 oz Bleach this evening to bring FC back up to 8 ppm per Ben's BGC.

Finally ---- the question ---- What to do about the stain --- We really do not want to go back to Cal Hypo!!

[MaryLee]

It's probably mineral staining. Take a vitamin C tablet and put it on the stain for a few seconds and see it the stain goes away. If it does then you'll need to treat the water with ascorbic acid and a metal sequesterant. Check out all the info on the "metals" board.

[SUNNYDAYS]

For the white parts on your pool like the the steps and the skimmer box you may want to see if a little scrubbing with a Mr Clean magic eraser with help. I fine the need to do the steps and the skimmer box about once a month.

[DavidD]

Rest assured, It's not the bleach! There is now difference between the bleach and pucks except the bleach is higher in PH and has no CYA. As previously posted, sounds like minerals. At a higher PH, they will drop out but your PH seems perfect.

Dave

[Jakebear]

I've read over and over ---- Bleach is Bleach --- Chlorine is Chlorine and I accept most of that.

This is NOT an new pool --- We have had this pool 4 years and used Cal Hypo since it was new --- NO STAIN --- 2 weeks into usiing Sodium Hypochlorite and we have stains ---- There has to be a correlation to the reaction or chemical composition of the Sodium Hypochlorite ----- and a preventative measure.

I'm really more concerned with that aspect than I am with the stain which is why I posted to this forum instead of stains etc.

EDIT: Also the pH has been stable with no muriatic being necessary

[waste]

Jakebear, while I may not be the 'go to' person for this on the forum, a possible cause suggests itself. #1, have you ever noticed the same thing on your return jets, before the changeover? (esp the inside of the 'eyeballs'). [I'll assume a 'yes' answer and continue]. You said that "the only real change is the bleach", I beg to differ, another change is that you have been replacing 500 - 1000 gal every other day with well water. What I suspect is that you have a small amount of metal in your well water, small enough to have gone unnoticed with just regular 'top-offs' in the past and now you have increased the 'normal' amount in your pool by purposly increasing the concentration of well water in your pool.
With that said, there is a difference between the different types of chlorine routinely applied to a swimming pool; the concentration and delivery method. I don't know how you've added the dichlor and cal hypo in the past, but I think that it never came in close (concentrated) contact with the areas you now find to be staining. Bleach, on the other hand is usually poured directly into the pool, and I know that when I add it, I pay extra attention to the returns, stairs and suction areas - if you do the same, you have a 'plug' of highly chlorinated water in these areas and high chlorine will precipitate the metal out of the water.
But you asked for a solution:
Take some tap water down to a pool store and have it tested for metals, I truely think you'll find some. If you do have metals in the fill water, always add a sequesterant before adding the fill water (please see the 'stains and metals' section for more expertise advice). I may be way off, but I've given you the best that I can - Welcome to the forum!! - Waste